IPPN

Published: 17 June 2010

Children as young as five should be given lessons in sex and relationships, a health watchdog said.

Good quality classes on sex, relationships and alcohol help youngsters to understand the risks and consequences of their actions and resist peer pressure, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).

Research shows that two-fifths of young people rate sex education in their school as poor or very poor, it said.

In draft guidance published, Nice said that sex and relationships education is "more effective if it is introduced before young people first have sex".

Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk